Setting The Example

In any organization or group, whether a business, a school a club, a family, or a church, the leadership sets the tone and attitude of the entire organization or group.   This is one of the most important reasons why the choice of pastors and elders in the church is so critical.  People tend to copy the behavior of those who their leaders.   If they are not spiritual people themselves, they will never be able to lead their people to become spiritual.  Unfortunately, people sometimes copy the behavior mechanically, without understanding the underlying attitude.  Paul wanted the Thessalonians to understand the spiritual attitude behind their actions. 

“For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.  For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.  For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.” (I Thessalonians 2:1-6)

Their focus had been on pleasing God, not on getting men’s admiration or respect.  They had suffered much abuse in Thessalonica, but they did not change their message.  They knew what they were teaching was truth, and did not try to make it more acceptable to the people around them, or convince people they were just teaching a slightly different form of the old beliefs.  They didn’t try to compliment the local leaders in order to get a hearing.  They also did not lord it over the people making demands, even though they were God’s apostles or special messengers.    

“But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:  So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.” (I Thessalonians 2:7-8)

They had gone out of their way to make sure they did not hurt the people, emotionally, spiritually, or financially.  They did not isolate themselves, but were willing to live like the people, willing to give up their very lives for them because they cared so much for them.  They were not satisfied just to preach the gospel to them.   They actively lived it among them, setting the example as to how those people should live in their situation. 

“For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.  Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.” (II Thessalonians 2:9-12)

Because they had set the example, living among the people, working alongside them and dealing with similar problems, their people were equipped to walk in the spirit where they were.    They had learned the proper attitudes like a child watching his father. 

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.  For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.” (II Thessalonians 2:13-16)

Because they had seen the gospel practices in the same situations they faced, the Thessalonians did not consider it an abstract theory, but a very practical way of life.   They were prepared to face the same trials as the churches in Israel had faced, even being persecuted and threatened by the established religious leaders and forbidden to teach others their beliefs, because those other religious groups have rejected God and face his judgment.